ARCADIA, Calif. -- On the same track where Breeders' Cup glory has eluded him, Game On Dude won the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap by 1 3/4 lengths Saturday, becoming the first three-time champion in the race's 77-year history.

Game On Dude snapped a three-race skid with his victory against seven rivals, including Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge, who beat him last year in the BC Classic at Santa Anita. In that race, Game On Dude finished ninth after ending up seventh in 2012.

"My wife, Jill, is pretty tough on me," Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said. "She said, 'Don't you run that horse if you don't think he can win.' "

Game On Dude didn't disappoint Baffert or the 7-year-old gelding's legion of fans at his home track, with 27,121 in attendance. He ran 11/4 miles in 1:58.17 under Hall of Famer Mike Smith and paid $9.60, $3.60 and $3.60 as the 7-2 third choice in the wagering.

Trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Will Take Charge returned $3 and $2.60 as the 3-2 second choice. Blingo was another eight lengths back in third and paid $5.60 to show. Mucho Macho Man, winner of last year's BC Classic by a nose over Will Take Charge, faded to fourth as the 6-5 favorite.

"I was basically empty at the three-eighths pole," said Gary Stevens, who rode Mucho Macho Man. "That's a bad feeling in a race like this and on a horse like that."

Game On Dude angled in after breaking from the No. 7 post and showed solid early speed, setting the pace along the rail. He responded when challenged into the second turn.

"I was a little worried when those horses came to him," Baffert said. "Will Take Charge made a really bold move and I could hear Jill saying, 'Oh no,' but the Dude wasn't going to give it up today."

Game On Dude won for the first time in six months.

In the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes, California Chrome barged into the Kentucky Derby picture with a 7 1/4-length victory and the second-fastest time in the 77-year history of the race.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome led all the way in covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.59. He paid $4.80, $2.60 and $2.10 as the 7-5 favorite. The colt is trained by Art Sherman, who has been in the business for more than 50 years but won the race for the first time.